Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1458: Selected for the Expedition Team

Reincarnation Division, the office of the Division Monarch.

There were several cultivators stationed here, standing guard with serious expressions. Every one of them looked solemn and focused.

Ji Gang walked smoothly and without obstruction, bringing Fang Chen to the door before turning and leaving.

The voice of Division Monarch Taixu sounded from within. "Come in."

Fang Chen pushed the door open and entered. Inside, he saw Taixu standing by the window, his back turned to him

Fang Chen cupped his hands in respect. "Disciple Fang Chen. Greetings."

The door slowly closed.

"Alright, no one will hear our conversation now. I suppose you've already guessed a few things," said Taixu, turning around to look at Fang Chen with a half-smile.

Fang Chen sighed with admiration.

"I just didn't expect Senior Wang's methods to be so profound and unfathomable, to the point where you could become the Division Monarch of the Reincarnation Division."

Wang Chongsong lightly tapped his head with a finger. "Naturally, it was by relying on this. This matter has been in the works for many years. Once all the conditions were met, everything naturally fell into place."

Fang Chen asked, "Has core disciple Li Shanzi broken through the cognition veil?"

"My connection with him began with his sister, who is a disciple of Fangcun Mountain. I joined Fangcun Mountain many years ago. Now, I am her master.

"Besides that, my first disciple Ji Gang, who followed Li Shanzi for a period of time in the Enlightenment God Palace, even joined the Enlightenment God Palace earlier than Li Shanzi."

Wang Chongsong gestured for Fang Chen to sit down, laughing as he said, "Because of these two connections, I have a very good relationship with Li Shanzi. However, he has not broken the cognition veil."

Fang Chen said, "As far as I know, many of the core members of the Enlightenment God Palace come from Enlightenment Star. They have undergone countless reincarnations here. If their memories were to be restored, they could also possibly seal away the memories related to the demonic side and become one of us."

“Human hearts are hard to read. Even our own people can’t always be trusted. Right now, I only trust myself.”

Wang Chongsong let out a faint smile. “Life on that side isn’t easy, and coming over isn’t something you can just decide to do. At first they thought that after reincarnation, they would naturally unlock their memories at age eighteen.

“They never expected that the Yang Gods on our side were no pushovers and used their own methods against them. As long as they can’t break that seal, they’ll never dare to make a move. So, I have no need to take risks by meddling with the core members of the Enlightenment God Palace.”

“Then what are you planning?” asked Fang Chen curiously.

Wang Chongsong shook his head lightly. “Don’t ask. I don’t want to talk to you about this.”

“Actually... I can more or less guess. You want to plant seeds, people you trust into Enlightenment Star. After they undergo many cycles of reincarnation, they’ll slowly replace the core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace. If enough time passes, they could even rise to the upper ranks, to the Elder Council, or even... the Palace Master? By then, you could at least ensure that ninety‑nine percent of the Enlightenment God Palace will be human cultivators.”

Wang Chongsong said with a laugh, “If you insist on putting it that way... you’re not wrong. Let’s put that aside for now. I didn’t expect you to become a core disciple so quickly. Our plan can begin in a little while. Are you planning to bring Little Yu so she can reincarnate as well?”

Fang Chen’s expression shifted. “How long will it take?”

“At least two hundred more years,” said Wang Chongsong after some thought.

“Two hundred years? You’re now the Division Monarch of the Reincarnation Division, the highest authority here. Why would it still take two hundred years?” asked Fang Chen in puzzlement.

Wang Chongsong said calmly, “The treasure that governs reincarnation is a spiritual treasure. I have to find a way to leave a safeguard on it. Otherwise, if it discovers that those seeds have never lived on Enlightenment Star before, their souls will fall straight into the Formless Purgatory and be burned into nothingness. Aside from that, I also need to replace the main official of the Registration and Inspection Department with people of my own.”

“A spiritual treasure? What about the Coffin Sealing Department's main official, Li Shanzi?”

“I’m confident I can get him to cooperate with me. Do you really think everyone on Enlightenment Star was born here? Many wandering souls actually come from the outside world.”

Wang Chongsong smiled lightly. "The reason why the Reincarnation Division has the most profit is because there are always people hoping to send their family members into the reincarnation cycle of Enlightenment Star, in the hope that they will one day become core disciples."

"Li Shanzi won’t miss out on this profit. He’s quite greedy," remarked Fang Chen.

"He is greedy indeed. Back when I submitted eight fourth-transformation immortal herbs, he changed them to third-transformation immortal herbs instead," replied Wang Chongsong.

Fang Chen nodded. After a pause, he said, "At the Immortal Exchange at Nanqing Constellation, with Immortal Changkong and Immortal Taixu both present, why make things hard for yourself? If it weren't for Immortal Changkong giving some immortal marrow to Yan Tong of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, you could have obtained your immortal status much earlier."

"I needed a reason to cooperate with the Taiyi Immortal Sect. This matter has nothing to do with you," said Wang Chongsong.

"I thought about it later... Could it be that you have another Bone Destiny at the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and have already become an Ancient Immortal as well?”

As soon as Fang Chen finished speaking, he saw Wang Chongsong chuckle softly.

"You’re quite imaginative. Believe me, I don't have that much energy. Reaching the Ancient Immortal Realm and condensing those Bone Destinies have exhausted most of my energy. There is no way I can create another sixth-transformation Bone Destiny."

Wang Chongsong shook his head, directly denying the suggestion.

Then, curious, he said, “The reason I called you over is to ask about the Book of Life and Death. They must have taken you to leave your name, right? You’re the legitimate Monarch Yan. After your name was inscribed, what happened?"

Fang Chen shook his head. "My name disappeared from it."

"The Book of Life and Death has existed in the Underworld for many years. It’s a very mysterious spiritual treasure. Unfortunately, it’s not complete. Otherwise, it would hold unimaginable power. How much do you know about it?"

"Almost nothing," replied Fang Chen.

"If you don’t want to say, then forget it," said Wang Chongsong, clearly thinking that Fang Chen was deliberately holding back. He snorted, then waved his hand dismissively. "You can go now. Don’t cause any trouble in the Reincarnation Division. I’ll notify you when it’s time for that matter."

"Understood."

***

After spending over ten days in the Enlightenment Underworld, Fang Chen returned to the Mortal Realm.

As soon as he returned, he sensed that the atmosphere in the Enlightenment God Palace was a bit off.

Little Immortal Honglian had also stepped away from her own Dao Domain. She had been waiting in front of the cave where Fang Chen’s physical body stayed while he traveled through the Underworld.

As soon as Fang Chen emerged, she spoke up. “We’ve been selected for the Expedition Team.”

“Expedition Team?”

Fang Chen’s expression shifted. “Where are we heading?”

“To No. 97 Ancient Forbidden Zone. It’s currently being guarded by the Rulai Monastery. Their time on guard has come to an end, and they must accept challenges from all sides. This time, Senior Sister will personally lead the team. I expect Rulai Monastery to also send their Buddhist disciple, Shao Guangyin, to personally oversee the area. I’ve heard that they have paid a considerable price. It’s likely that the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace, Taiyi Immortal Sect, and the Ten Thousand Star Palace will side with them.”